Kent Hospital honored employees for dedicated service and accomplishments on May 15 at its Annual Employee Awards Banquet, held at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown. A total of 287 employees have given a remarkable 4,015 years of collective service to Kent Hospital.

“The employees recognized this year have shown exceptional loyalty and commitment to the Kent Hospital community and their hard work deserves to be honored,” said Sandra Coletta, COO Care New England and president and CEO of Kent Hospital. “Kent Hospital continues to provide the highest quality patient care because of these employees’ hard work. I applaud every one of them for their excellence and outstanding performance through their years at Kent.”

Employees were recognized for their years of service ranging from five to 45 years. In addition, the William Lang Employee of the Year and Manager of the Year were also announced. Named after the late hospital administrator, William Lang, who served in that leadership role from 1960 to 1985, and was here at Kent even longer, this award recognizes excellence, dedication and commitment to the hospital, patients and the Kent family. The Manager/Employee of the Year are both selected from a pool of past year Manager of the Quarter/Employee of the Month recipients.

The 2013 Lang Employee of the Year Award was presented to Jim Vallese of Narragansett. Jim is a senior cardiovascular technologist in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and has worked at Kent for 23 years. Jim played a major part in developing the cardiac program with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and has given his all in making various programs within the cath lab become a reality. Jim was also a key player in the design and construction of the new cath lab three years ago. Not only has Jim given 100 percent to his job over the last 23 years, but he has also given 100 percent to the community. He and his wife have been foster parents for many years and in 2009 Jim and his wife received the John H. Chafee award for Excellence in Foster Care.

The 2013 Lang Manager of the Year Award was presented to Nancy Roman of East Greenwich. Nancy is the director of technical services and has worked at Kent for 24 years. As director of technical services, Nancy is responsible for providing overall administrative and technical management for the technical services department (respiratory care, cardiology, sleep lab, neurology and vascular lab).

In Nancy’s nomination for manager of the quarter, her manager said that she is loyal and authentic and most importantly knows how to relate to people. She is described by her staff as being a role model with her kind and professional manner and is said to go above and beyond to make sure that all areas within her department run smoothly. In addition to her responsibilities at Kent, Nancy serves on statewide boards both related to her profession and also on a volunteer basis, for the good of the community.

There was also one 45-year recipient at this years’ service awards. This award was presented to Stanley Armidon, Operation Room, of West Kingston. Armidon was hired in September 1967 as an Operating Room Technician.